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Inspiration From the Classroom: A Mixed Method Case Study of Interdisciplinary Sustainability Learning in Higher Education

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2017

Sue Noy ,
Rebecca Patrick ,
Teresa Capetola  and
Janine McBurnie
Sue Noy*
Affiliation:
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Rebecca Patrick
Affiliation:
Health, Nature and Sustainability Research Group, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Teresa Capetola
Affiliation:
Health, Nature and Sustainability Research Group, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Janine McBurnie
Affiliation:
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Sue Noy, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125, Australia. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Within higher education there is widespread support for developing students’ interdisciplinary skills. Despite this, evidence for, and practice of, cross-faculty interdisciplinary sustainability learning remains in its infancy. Recent articles have shown that Australia is no exception. This article provides a case study of interdisciplinary learning and teaching within a cross-faculty Education for Sustainability (EfS) undergraduate subject involving science, arts, business, and health students at an Australian university. A description of the subject and its theoretical context provides a platform for presenting the findings of a mixed method enquiry into how pedagogy supports interdisciplinary sustainability learning. The sequential explanatory research design involved a post-subject quantitative survey analysed using SPSS, augmented by qualitative student journal data (n = 67) using phenomenological analysis within NVivo. The study found that students, regardless of discipline background, valued the processes and pedagogy used to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and awareness. The experience left students feeling more skilled and confident of their ability to contribute to future interdisciplinary sustainability collaboration. This case study, replete with a subject description, theoretical context for an innovative pedagogical approach and study results, provides higher education professionals with a template for deliberative curriculum and pedagogy that promote interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and confidence that may contribute to transformative learning that supports EfS goals. The article presents a strong case for future EfS curriculum frameworks and strategic education policy to include deliberative interdisciplinary pedagogy. It also challenges higher education institutions to create flexible systems that facilitate cross-faculty interdisciplinary learning that is necessary for preparing students for the future.

Keywords

education for sustainabilityinterdisciplinary learninghigher educationpeer learningmixed methodscase study
Type
Feature Articles
Information
Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , July 2017 , pp. 97 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2017 

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